Caryx^® in the spring – where it can help

It’s a watching brief in the spring

Early-drilled crops have generally weathered the winter well, but we will need to monitor the effect of CSFB larvae in the spring. Hopefully this year we will be able to get on with some nitrogen at the end of February to give the crops an early boost to help tolerate the larvae.

The extent of larval damage will become clear at stem extension. Will there be normal stem development or severe stunting?

Severely affected plants will not be suitable for Caryx® since the canopy size will be reduced. But where stem extension occurs normally CSFB larvae are still likely to be present. ADAS research has shown that the internal feeding damage causes significant weakness in the main stem which in turn increases lodging risk.

ADAS sampled plants at the end of flowering and measured stem diameter, stem strength and CSFB feeding damage (% internal area). Severe stunting is associated with damage in the lower and upper stem.

Register now and join our live event ‘Helping spring desisicons in OSR‘ on the 25th February to hear Pete Berry & Fran Pickering discuss this research themselves.

Caryx^® reduces plant height and thickens the main stem

This photo shows the lower stem of a plant which developed normally and of similar height to an undamaged plant. However, there is internal damage at the base of the stem. This feeding damage results in a slightly thinner stem than that of an undamaged plant, making it 29% weaker. The associated lodging risk increases from 1 in 10 to 1 in 3.

Caryx® will be valuable here to help reduce the lodging risk in these crops. It reduces plant height and thickens the main stem to help counter the CSFB ‘thinning’.

In addition to this Caryx® manipulates the canopy to increase seeds/sqm. It also improves rooting to help water and nutrient uptake.

Action

Assess GAI just prior to stem extension, at the end of February. Using tools like the BASF GAI Online Tool.
Earmark potential crops for Caryx® (those where GAI >0.8 or 50% ground cover)
Wait for stem extension to check plant development
Apply Caryx® anytime from green bud once stem extension has started through to yellow bud

Where crop development is under question, a yellow bud application allows more time to assess. At yellow bud the crop is still at only 50% of its final height so there is still opportunity to shorten and strengthen the crop.

Use plant protection products safely. Always read the label and product information before use. For further product information including warning phrases and symbols refer to www.agricentre.basf.co.uk . For further information, please do not hesitate to contact your local BASF Agronomy Manager or the BASF Technical Services Hotline: 0845 602 2553 Caryx is a registered trademark of BASF. Caryx contains metconazole and mepiquat chloride.